Cricket pitch coming to Anderdon Park

The sport of cricket looks to be coming to Amherstburg.

Town council has authorized administration to negotiate an agreement with PaxPitch Sports for the installation and operation of a new cricket pitch at Anderdon Park. Kshitij Punj, co-founder and CEO of PaxPitch Sports, appeared before town council Monday night outlining the proposal. 

Punj said there are some pitches in Windsor, but no cricket pitches in Essex County with some players travelling to Chatham-Kent and beyond to have to play. He said the Border City Cricket League (BCCL) has been founded with tournaments drawing over 400 players to the region.

PaxPitch would pay for the development of the pitch at Anderdon Park, adding they hope to add another pitch at Pat Thrasher Park in 2026. They would build and fund an artificial turf strip with short grass, similar to a lawn bowling court, for the rest of the playing surface.

For the first two years, PaxPitch would oversee the operation of the pitches with the town able to book games after that. When PaxPitch is not using them over the first two years, residents could still try it out.

Punj said they want to build a relationship with the town’s recreation department and offer open houses to introduce residents to cricket. He said there is enough cricket in the area to where players face extended waiting periods to be able to be able to use a pitch.

Pitches would cost $15,000 to $20,000 to build and Punj said they would fund that, portable washrooms and other necessary amenities. He said the sport is popular and that pitches would be used throughout the spring, summer and fall in evenings and weekends.

“We can have a clinic tomorrow if you want,” he said, in response to a question from Councillor Don McArthur on how soon youth clinics could be established.

Councillor Molly Allaire said she liked the passion Punj showed for the sport and that adults and children can both play. Councillor Diane Pouget had concerns over garbage pickup and parking, with director of parks, facilities and recreation Heidi Baillargeon stating they are already cutting the grass there and it would just need to be cut lower. Garbage pick up could be part of an agreement and while there is “limited parking,” she encouraged PaxPitch to reach out to neighbouring Anderdon Public School for use of their property after hours and that cricket organizers know not to block entrances at Amherstburg Fire Station #2.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb said it is a good use for an underutilized park, stating it reminds him of the WEBC trails at the Libro Centre where a public/private partnership was development and an amenity was added by a private group. He said he was optimistic about the proposal and that it is unique for Amherstburg to have cricket. He also hoped people would find their way into the downtown core to utilize local businesses.

McArthur said it was “a fascinating proposal” and that he found cricket is the second most popular sport in the world.  He said he was looking forward to watching cricket locally. 

Councillor Linden Crain agreed and that he also hoped it would lead to economic development.

The town was the first to have a Miracle League diamond and also noted the WEBC partnership.

“I’m excited for the opportunity,” he said. 

Mayor Michael Prue also supported it, but added he wanted more details before adding a second pitch at Pat Thrasher Park. Noting it is more remote than Pat Thrasher Park, Prue wanted to hear of what issues were encountered if any at Anderdon Park before going ahead with a pitch within a subdivision.

Cricket pitch coming to Anderdon Park

By Ron Giofu